Darren Clarke has completed his backroom team for the 2016 Ryder Cup by naming 2002 skipper Sam Torrance as his fifth vice-captain for the match against the USA at Hazeltine National in September.
The 62-year-old Scotsman has been a vice-captain twice, in 1999 at Brookline and two years ago at Gleneagles. He played on eight successive teams from 1981 to 1995, holing the famous “winning” putt in 1985 at the Belfry which started Europe’s run of victories and ended US dominance.
In 2002 at The Belfry, after a year’s delay for the 9-11 tragedy in New York, he skippered a team with several players out of form to a historic win with a final day singles triumph over Curtis Strange’s far stronger US outfit.
Torrance still holds the record number of European Tour appearances with 706, and was a key backroom figure with Paul McGinley last time round at Gleneagles.
With Thomas Bjorn, Padraig Harrington, Paul Lawrie and Ian Poulter already announced, Torrance rounds out Clarke’s team, adding vital experience to a group mostly compiled of the Northern Irishman’s peers on tour.
Sam said: “It goes without saying that I am very proud to be part of the backroom team for The 2016 Ryder Cup. It is a tremendous honour and as soon as Darren asked me, I had no hesitation in saying yes.
“I have known Darren for many years and have great respect for him and all that he has achieved in the game. I think you can see in all the hard work and attention to detail he has put in already that he will be a great captain and he knows he can count on me to be of service to the team in any way I can.
“Obviously The Ryder Cup has been hugely important to me in my career, both as a player and a captain, and I am therefore really looking forward to adding another chapter to the story at Hazeltine.”
Captain Clarke added: “I am absolutely delighted to name Sam as my fifth and final Vice Captain for the match at Hazeltine.
“There is nothing in terms of The Ryder Cup that he hasn’t seen, done, or been part of since he first played in the contest 35 years ago and I know that experience will be vital to everyone involved with Team Europe this time round.
“On a personal level, I have known Sam virtually my entire golfing career, as well as being coached by his late father Bob for many years. In fact, I played with Sam as an amateur in my first appearance in a professional event – the Irish Open at Portmarnock in 1990.
“At the time I was considering staying amateur to play the Walker Cup the following year but, in his own inimitable style, Sam left me in no doubt that he felt I should turn professional as soon as possible– and I’m glad I did.
“I have tremendous respect for Sam as a person and in terms of The Ryder Cup, he was a fantastic captain in 2002.
“I cannot speak highly enough of the way he guided myself and the entire team that year in what were difficult circumstances after the 2001 contest was postponed. I know he will bring that same knowledge and guile again this time round.”
